New Jersey has an all-time record of 46-46-21-6 versus Chicago.
The New Jersey Devils will play their first home game of the 2024 calendar year on Friday night. They will host Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks for the final time this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. The club held a morning skate at 10:30 A.M. with all healthy players accounted for.
Timo Meier (mid-body) and Ondrej Palat (lower-body) were absent. During head coach Lindy Ruff's media availability, he said there is no timetable for either veteran player.
Devils vs. Blackhawks - Prudential Center
The Devils earned a 1-0-0 record versus the Blackhawks this season after defeating them by a score of 4-2 on Nov. 5 in Chicago. Per the media notes, the Devils can sweep tonight's opponent in a regular-season series for the fourth time since the 2013-14 season. Jack Hughes has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in six games versus the Blackhawks.
Chicago is eighth in the Central Division (11-25-2). They are coming off a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers last night. Colin Blackwell scored the Blackhawks' lone goal, while netminder Petr Mrazek made 28 saves. The club has lost four straight games.
- New Jersey's injury list includes Dougie Hamilton (out indefinitely), Tomas Nosek (out indefinitely), Timo Meier (mid-body), and Ondrej Palat (lower body).
- Chicago's injury list includes Andreas Athanasiou (groin), Taylor Hall (ACL), Seth Jones (shoulder), Joey Anderson (shoulder), Taylor Raddysh (groin), Tyler Johnson (foot), and Anthony Beauvillier (wrist).
- The Devils will open their ninth back-to-back set for the 2023-24 season tonight. They hold a 7-1-0 record in the first game, including 1-1-0 at home. On the other side of the ice, Chicago's record on the second half of a back-to-back is 0-6-0.
- On Jan. 3, the Blackhawks placed Anthony Beauvillier on IR and claimed Jaycob Megna off waivers. The latter made his Blackhawks debut last night and was credited with an assist.
- Ryan Donato has four points (three goals, one assist) over his last three games versus New Jersey.
- Since making his NHL debut, Simon Nemec is averaging 20:49 time on ice per game, which ranks third on New Jersey since that date.
- Three different New Jersey skaters enter tonight's contest on a point streak: Nico Hischier (three games), Luke Hughes (four games), and Jack Hughes (five games).
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Erik Haula - Nico Hischier - Dawson Mercer
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Curtis Lazar - Michael McLeod - Alexander Holtz
Brendan Smith - Chris Tierney - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Simon Nemec
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Colin Miller - Kevin Bahl
Vitek Vanecek/Nico Daws
Chicago:
Ryan Donato - Connor Bedard - Philipp Kurashev
Nick Foligno - Jason Dickinson - Colin Blackwell
Lukas Reichel - Mackenzie Entwistle - Cole Guttman
Boris Katchouk - Brett Seney - Reese Johnson
Jared Tinordi - Connor Murphy
Alex Vlasic - Jaycob Megna
Kevin Korchinski - Nikita Zaitsev
Arvid Soderblom/Petr Mrazek
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle play-by-play alongside analyst Ken Daneyko and host Erika Wachter. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.